Leinster v Saracens

[King_D'Arcy]

Dominic Ryan is odds on to ruin Gavin Henson's hair

 

[lynam1104]

I think Ruddock should go elsewhere as he will get very little game time despite having been capped for Ireland already.

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed like Ruddock is going to be a superb player but thing is Leinster just have so many top class backrowers at the moment

 

[Feicarsinn]

That's ridiculous. The guy is 20 years of age. He's in the best youth set up in the country, if not Europe and is surrounded by top players. He's played 8 games this year, which is probably more than most 20 year old flankers around. It would be silly for him to move and screw up his development

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

That's ridiculous. The guy is 20 years of age. He's in the best youth set up in the country, if not Europe and is surrounded by top players. He's played 8 games this year, which is probably more than most 20 year old flankers around. It would be silly for him to move and screw up his development

+1

He only turned 20 a couple of months ago, why the rush to bemoan a supposed lack of gametime? Turning the question around, I'd be called a fool if I suggested Peter O'Mahony and Paddy Butler (both the same age as Ruddock) should leave Munster because they lack gametime. Ruddock will rocket up the depth chart over the next 12-18 months. He's not on the same level as Kevin McLaughlin or Shane Jennings yet but he should surpass both of them in the not too distant future. If he's not ahead of them in 2 years, by all means he should consider his future but right now calls for him to leave as very premature.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'm not saying he is/should leave but I ask you this in 3-4 years (if everyone stays put) then which Leinster backrow will loose out.
Butler and O'Mahony know Quinny, Wallace, and maybe Coughlan could be gone in 4/5 years.
But Snoop my point was made in the way you pointed out that if in 2 years or so he isn't getting time then maybe he should consider his options. Plus we need a backrow player down here

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Plus we need a backrow player down here

Maybe you should have poached Rhys Ruddock from the Ospreys at the start of last season then! I think Munster's need for a backrower is overstated. What they need to do is get Butler and O'Mahony gametime. Tommy O'Donnell is a decent player too but he's 23/24 and still not getting enough games. A 9 point buffer at the top of the Magners League table, never mind being 14 points clear of the 5th place team, affords Tony McGahan ample opportunity to pick these players. I'm a fan of McGahan but think he's making a mistake picking plodders like Niall Ronan and James Coughlan when there are more talented youngsters waiting in the wings.

Back on topic, I really like the look of Leinster's bench. Van der Merwe, McLaughlin, Boss and Fitzgerald can all change the game positively while Toner is capable of fixing the lineout if it gets creaky. I suspect those 5 will all get 20+ minutes with the other subs (Harris-Wright, Newland, Madigan) only coming on if the game is already won.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop we need another 8 though.

As for comments on Leinsters bench I agree with you and if the game is tight Schmidt is not short of options to change the game.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Is Shaun Berne fit or what? Would have thought he'd be backup outhalf considering he can also cover centre. Nothing against Madigan, but he seems a bit raw yet.

EDIT:

SARACENS TEAM:

15 Nils Mordt
14 David Strettle
13 Michael Tagicakibau
12 Brad Barritt
11 James Short
10 Owen Farrell
9 Richard Wigglesworth
1 Rhys Gill
2 Schalk Brits
3 Carlos Nieto
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 Hugh Vyvyan
6 Kelly Brown
7 Andy Saull
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Jared Saunders
18 Petrus du Plessis
19 Hayden Smith
20 Justin Melck
21 Neil de Kock
22 Gavin Henson
23 Noah Cato

It's clobbering time!

 

[tinchy17]

Is Shaun Berne fit or what? Would have thought he'd be backup outhalf considering he can also cover centre. Nothing against Madigan, but he seems a bit raw yet.

EDIT:

SARACENS TEAM:

15 Nils Mordt
14 David Strettle
13 Michael Tagicakibau
12 Brad Barritt
11 James Short
10 Owen Farrell
9 Richard Wigglesworth
1 Rhys Gill
2 Schalk Brits
3 Carlos Nieto
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 Hugh Vyvyan
6 Kelly Brown
7 Andy Saull
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Jared Saunders
18 Petrus du Plessis
19 Hayden Smith
20 Justin Melck
21 Neil de Kock
22 Gavin Henson
23 Noah Cato

It's clobbering time!

Saracens could clobber Sexton in return if you like......

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Berne is fit. He's starting for Leinster A on Sunday.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Saracens could clobber Sexton in return if you like......

Who's gonna do that then? Steve Borthwick?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Saracens could clobber Sexton in return if you like......

Unlikely. Sexton >> Henson.

Dominic Ryan is going to molest Henson up his bum bum.

 

[tinchy17]

Who's gonna do that then? Steve Borthwick?

Yeah and Schalk Brits!!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah and Schalk Brits!!!

Have either of those ever made a big hit?
Brits is known for being a good ball in hand hooker, and Borthwick is known for.......being a turd?

 

[tinchy17]

Have either of those ever made a big hit?
Brits is known for being a good ball in hand hooker, and Borthwick is known for.......being a turd?

How about Mouritz Botha then? He could clobber Sexton and any other of Leinster's decent players.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I'm literally quaking in my boots.





Well that's not true. I don't even have socks on. Anyway, we have Fitzy, Toner, Locky, and Heinke on the bench. we'll be more than fine.


Leeeiiinnnnnssssssttteeeerrr! Leeeeeeiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnsssssssttttteeeerrr!

 

[munstermuffin]

Ha Borthwick couldn't hit himself never mind another player.
I for one am glad to see Madigan on bench as experience will stand to him. Plus Luke Fitz can cover 11-15 easy.

I think this will be tight for 60mins with Leinster pulling away to get the win. I think the Bonus Point might be off their radar as the win is all that is required

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

There are rumours floating around that Gordon D'arcy is a late withdrawal from the Leinster team. If true, I suspect Fergus McFadden will shift to te centre, Luke Fitzgerald will come in on the left wing and Dave Kearney will take the 23 shirt.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

There are rumours floating around that Gordon D'arcy is a late withdrawal from the Leinster team. If true, I suspect Fergus McFadden will shift to te centre, Luke Fitzgerald will come in on the left wing and Dave Kearney will take the 23 shirt.